Before we get into listing and explaining, let's take a second to remind ourselves about what chyawanprash is. Chyawanprash is a food created from ghee (Indian clarified butter), sugar, honey, Indian gooseberries, and dozens of traditional herbs and spices. Chyawanprash is a thick, dark substance, almost like molasses. It is sweet, sour, and herbally complex. Using in your daily diet may also support a healthy immune system, brain, and may help to maintain blood pressure already within the normal range.
Chyawanprash is made from many different ingredients, although many formulations include most of the following because they have been studied for their potential benefits, or are written about in many ancient Ayurvedic texts..
- Ashwagandha - This is Indian ginseng. Ginseng alone has a reputation as a nearly all-purpose tonic. Here, it adds its influence to an even more complex cocktail of plants.
- Asparagus racemosus - This cousin of the common Western asparagus plant has many potential benefits. Known as shatavari in Ayurvedic medicine, it is a tonic that has been administered for its potential benefits for thousands of years.
- Amla - This Indian gooseberry is considered sacred by the Hindus.
- Bamboo Manna - This is a translucent substance collected from the inside of bamboo. It is attributed many health-promoting properties.
- Blue Egyptian Water Lilly - This ancient flower contains a psychoactive alkaloid called apomorphine that is sometimes found in western medicines.
- Cardamom - Cardamom is a common spice used in Indian cooking that might just be in your kitchen cabinet.
- Indian Kudzu - Like American kudzu, this prolific vine climbs all over everything. Is root is an essential element in traditional Chyawanprash.
- Liquorice - Familiar to westerners, this herb is known for its complex flavor and chemical structure. Used in medicines around the world, it finds a natural home in chyawanprash.
- Nut Grass - Nut grass is used for many purposes, such as mat and basket making. But it's the seed that's of interest in Ayurvedic medicine, though its flavor is unpalatable to some on its own, is found to taste excellent in chyawanprash.
- Tiger's Claw - Fortunately we are talking about a plant and not the personal property of a certain endangered big cat. Its bark and leaves are reputed to provide help for aging women and monthly challenges.
- Chebulic Myrobalan
- Honey
- Wild Green Gram
- Wild Black Gram
- Guduchi
- Galls
- Sandalwood
- Raisins
- Potassium Sorbate
- Hogweed
- Chinese Cinnamon
- Sesame Oil
- Malabar Nut
- Long Pepper
- Round Zedoary
- Clove
- Cinnamon Bark
- Indian Rose Chestnut
- Country Mallow
- Giant Potato
